Fixture-supporting attachment.



W. LUTZ 6; A. E. DOE.

FIXTURE SUPPORTING ATTACHMENT.

APPLICATION FILED -1wo-v.14, 1913.

1, 1 00,437, Patented June' 16, 1914.

I F133- 1 73.4" fi/ w INVENTORfi,

WITNESSES:

ATTORNEY *onrnnisrarnsrarnnr enrich.

WILLIAM LUTZ AND ALBERT E. DOE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FIXTURE-SUPPORTING ATTACHMEN To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, WILLIAM Lu'rz, a citizen of the United States, residing at No. 3523 Fullerton avenue, in the city of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, and ALBERT E. Don, a subject of Great Britain, and residing at 2653 Best avenue, in the city of Chicago, county and State aforesaid, have jointly invented a new and useful Fixture-Supporting Attachment, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to improvements in devices for supporting electric light fixtures from hollow ceilings in which we use two metal bars of unequal length, near the center of one of which is fastened a hollow stud,

which stud is threaded on the outside and to which the fixture it is intended to support is attached. In the center of the other bar is a hole into which this stud enters with a loose fit, thus permitting the two bars to be folded upon each other so that both are parallel, or spreading them in the shape of a cross, and the objects of our improvement are first, to spread the weight of the electric light fixtures over as much ceiling surface as the length of the two metal bars and space be tween joists in ceiling will permit; and second, to provide a simple, effective and conveniently compact device to simplify and accelerate the work of hanging the fixture.

In carrying into effect our invention, a hole is first formed through the plaster in the ceiling and through that part of the ceiling to which the plaster may adhere. Into this opening, (which is made just big enough to admit our invention when the same has been folded) we insert our invention. This is done by folding the two metal bars upon each other. It is then tilted in a vertical position and inserted in to the hole, then raised until the lower ends have cleared the lath or wire mesh sufficiently to enable us to tip the device and bring it into a flat position resting upon the lath or wire mesh, with the hollow stud projecting downward through the hole. Keeping this position of the device in mind, the two metal bars will hereinafter be referred to as the upper or short bar, and the other as the lower or long bar. This hollow stud is riveted, or otherwise securely fastened to the upper or short bar at a point a little out of its center, so that the distances between the stud and the ends of this bar are unequal and present one long and one short end. The lower bar is Specification of Letters Patent.

, Application filed November 14, 1913.

PatentedJune 16, 1914:. Serial No. 800,964.

longer, being approximately two times as long as the distance between the stud and the longer end of the upper bar. At each end and on the lower side of this lower bar, two at each end, are fastened four sharp prongs or anchor pins. These pins are spaced so as to freely span the width of a standard lath. In the center of the lower bar is a hole through which the stud enters with a loose fit. Both bars are straight with the exception of a slight raise or arch upon the upper bar at a point a little to each side of the stud. This raise or arch is as high as the thickness of the metal used for both bars and somewhat wider than their width, and is for the purpose of assuring an even rest for both bars when spread at right angles to each other. A wing nut, threaded to fit the outside thread upon the stud, is used to hold the two bars together. This wing nut is also used for the purpose (when construction of same will permit) of fastening and holding in its p oper place fixture canopies and other devices which are commonly used, both for decorative effect and also to hide the hole in the ceiling made by the workman. After inserting our invention as outlined above, by grasping the stud, both bars are then moved into a position as near an angle of forty five degrees to the lath as possible. In ceilings of wire mesh this angle is immaterial. A sharp pull downward anchors the lower bar the prongs or pins fastened upon same being driven into the lath, and where wire mesh is used the pins are driven into the plaster between the screen, or openings of the wire mesh. The wing nut is then given a few turns to release the pressure between the two.bars, and the upper bar by the aid of the stud, is swung into a right angle to the lower bar.

It sometimes happens that the place upon the ceiling where the fixture is to be hung and hole is formed is close to a joist. When this is so. the upper bar may be manipulated so as to bring the short end of the same to the near joist. The lower bar being anchored by the pins, and theupper bar swung at right angles thereto; we then screw the wing nut tight. This locks the upper bar and prevents the stud from turning While the stem of the fixture is being attached to the stud. The lock is made secure as the arch upon the upper bar spans the lower one when the two bars are spread in the shape of a cross or at right angles to each other.

Our invention is further illustrated in the accrmpanying drawings in which,

Figure 1 showsthe dev ce being inserted through a hole in the ceiling; Fig. 2 is an elevation of a simple electric light fixture and shows how our invention is used in com' bination therewith; Fig. 3 is a detailed side View; and Fig. 4 is a plan or top view.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The .letter 6' represents the joists in a section of ceiling, f the lath, and g the plaster placed thereon.

vA metal bar 1 is shown having a slight raise or arch a little to oneside of the center of this bar.

3 is a hollow metal stud having an external screw thread and is riveted or otherwise securely fastened to the bar 1, in the center of the arch.

2 designates ametal bar having in its centera -hole through which the stud 3 enters with a loose fit.

4 is a wing nut having an internal screw thread to fit external thread upon the stud 3.

Sharp prongs or anchor pins 5, 6, 7 and 8 are securely fastened to the lower side of I 'manipulated to bring the short end of the'g upper bar 1, to the near joist as is shown in Fig. 4, Where the short end of this bar:

the bar 2. Bar 1, is shorter than bar 2, as is best illustrated in Fig. 3.

In Fig. 1 the device is shown as it'is being inserted in the hole formed through the plaster and lath. The metal bars, 1 and 2, are here shown in a parallel position to each other and are thus held by the wing nut 4, which has been screwed up so as to exert a light tension between the two bars. After the device has been raised (as shown in Fig. 1) so that the lower ends of the bars 1 and 2, have cleared the lath sufliciently, it 15 then tipped over into a flat position upon the inner surface of the ceiling. The stud 3, which projects downward through the hole, is then grasped and both bars, (being still parallel to each other) are swung in a circle to ascertain the proximity to the nearest joist. If the hole is in, or near the middle between two joists, then the bars will swing clear and not touch either joist. We then bring both bars, 1 and 2 to approximately an angle of forty five degrees, to the lath. The lower or long bar 2 is then anchored, the pressure released by turning the nut, and the upper or short bar 1, is swung into the position outlined above and illustrated in Fig. 4. If however, the hole is near to a joist, the device can then be touches the near joist, e. The short end of bar 1, is for the purpose of allowing a greater latitude in the spreading of both bars at right angles to each other.

in Fig. 2 the arch upon the upper bar 1, is shown as the same spans the lower bar 2, whenboth bars are spread; and permits the ends of the bars to rest evenly upon the inner surface of the ceiling. After the lower .bar 2, is anchored, the two bars spread, and

the wing nut 4, tightened; this arch automatically locks the upper bar 1, and prevents the stud 3, from turning while the stem of the fixture is being screwed to the stud 3.

The supporting device described is designed especially for use in hollow ceilings, where the substance or material used to cover the joists or beams is of such a nature as to allow us to embed or sink into the same the anchor pins 5, 6, 7 and 8 for the purpose of anchoring bar 2.

, It is especially designed for use as a permanent support for fixtures specified, but may be removed at any time by loosening the wing nut 4, then refolding the two bars in practically the same mariner as is necessary to place the same in position to support a fixture.

Although we have confined ourselves to describing the methodof using our invention as a supporting device for electric light fixtures when hung from ceilings, yet the same may be used on side walls, of like construction as above described, in the same manner as applies to ceilings.

What we claim is 1. In a device of the class described, the combination of two bars of unequal length, a pivotal connection between said bars arranged substantially equidistant from the ends of one bar and at unequal distances from the ends of the other bar, means for normally, maintaining said bars in angular relation to each other, and means for supporting an object to one of said bars, said supporting means serving also to lock said bars in relative angular relation, substan-' tially as described.

2. In a supporting device of the kind described, the combination of two members, one being arched intermediate the ends thereof, and being provided with a threaded stud at the arched portion thereof, and the other'member having an opening through which the stud onthe first mentioned meinber may lie, prongs carried by said members on the acting faces thereof, and means for engaging with said threaded stud to lock the said bars together, the arched portion on the one member engaging with the body of the other member to prevent relative angular movement therebetween, substantially as described.

3. In a device of the kind described, the combination of a metal bar formed with an arch intermediate the ends thereof, an externally threaded stud secured to said, bar, a second bar provided with a hole in the body thereof through which the stud may lie, a threaded member for engaging with item? extremities of said members are disposed in diflerent positions, and means for supporting or sustaining an object to one of said members, said means serving also 15 to prevent axial displacement of said members, substantially as described.

WILLIAM LUTZ. ALBERT E. DOE. Witnesses:

W ALTER S'rooK, BENJ. F. STEVENS 

